Luvindao detaches ambulance shortage from Mariental deaths

Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao has dismissed claims that the deaths of a heavily pregnant woman and her sister in the fatal August 2025 Mariental road crash were caused by a lack of ambulance services, saying reports suggesting no emergency vehicles were available are inaccurate.

Luvindao was responding in Parliament on Thursday to questions from Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Lilani Brinkman, who raised concerns about ambulance shortages, staffing levels for emergency personnel and the operational status of the oxygen plant at Mariental State Hospital.

Brinkman said reports indicated that the hospital was grappling with a severe shortage of transport, compromising its ability to transfer critically ill patients. She also claimed recent changes to ambulance driver shifts had further weakened emergency response capacity.

She alleged that the transport challenges contributed to the deaths of an eight-month-pregnant woman and her sister, who were reportedly transported in a police vehicle because no ambulance was available. Brinkman further referred to the reported death of a five-month-old child who allegedly could not be referred in time due to the absence of transport or an ambulance driver.

The questions relate to the devastating collision on the B1 road about seven kilometres north of Mariental, in which two vehicles collided, killing 12 correctional officers, two police officers and two civilians.

The civilians were Diana Jagger, who had gone into labour, and her sister, Roseltha Higoam. Four police officers had responded after Jagger reportedly had no transport to the hospital and were taking the sisters to the facility when the crash occurred.

At the time, Inspector General of the Namibian Police Joseph Shikongo said 14 people died at the scene, while two police officers later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the official death toll to 16. He added that the tragedy also claimed the life of Jagger's fully developed unborn baby. Family members, however, said she had been eight months pregnant with twins.

Responding to Brinkman's allegations, Luvindao acknowledged the importance of reliable ambulance services but rejected suggestions that emergency vehicles were unavailable on the day of the crash.

"It was reported that a pregnant mother and her sister lost their lives due to the unavailability of ambulance services, and they were transported in a police van. While the loss of life is deeply regretted, the report is inaccurate in suggesting no ambulances were available. In fact, three ambulances responded to the mass accident, including two from the MoHSS and one from the municipality," she said.

The minister said the Mariental district has nine ambulances on its master list, of which five are currently operational. Three are stationed at Mariental State Hospital, while the remaining two are based at health facilities in Maltahöhe and Sesriem.

"As of the day in question, the hospital had three ambulances in running condition, thus transport was not the issue," Luvindao said.

She nonetheless acknowledged staffing shortages, saying only five of the hospital's 11 Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) posts are filled. Three of the four ambulance driver positions are occupied, leaving one vacancy.

According to the minister, recruitment to fill the outstanding posts is underway, while the ministry is reviewing shift management and resource allocation to strengthen emergency medical response services.

Brinkman also questioned the ministry's management of oxygen supplies at Mariental State Hospital, alleging that despite having a functional oxygen plant, hospital management opted to purchase oxygen cylinders instead of servicing the plant, potentially putting patients' lives at risk.

Luvindao said the ministry has launched an investigation into the matter and warned that disciplinary action would follow if negligence or mismanagement is established.

She said preliminary findings indicate that the hospital's oxygen plant had malfunctioned, necessitating increased reliance on oxygen cylinders as a contingency measure.

"The servicing of the oxygen plant is an immediate priority. Funds have been allocated for its repair," she said.

According to the minister, the plant was returned to operation after minor servicing on 2 September 2025, while additional parts have been ordered to complete a major service.